SB 1002 - Relating to Motor Vehicle Glass.

On Monday, March 20th, SB 1002 by Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) was heard by the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee and was reported favorably with 9 yeas and 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

This bill provides that a motor vehicle repair shop may not offer a customer a rebate, gift, gift card, cash, coupon, or other item of value in exchange for making an insurance claim for motor vehicle glass replacement or repair. The bill also prohibits the assignment of benefits for auto glass repairs.

SB 1002 will now go to the Senate Rules Committee for consideration.

AIF supports efforts by the legislature to bring more transparency and fairness in the auto repair market between insurance providers and policy holders. Litigation should not be auctioned off frivolously when the alternative is better for the policy holder in the long run.

For more information on AIF’s efforts relating to Tort Reform, please visit AIF | Tort Reform.

HB 1515- Relating to Local Ordinances

On Monday, March 20th, HB 1515 Representative Robbie Brackett (R-Vero Beach) was heard by the House Civil Justice Subcommittee and was reported favorably by a vote of 10 yeas and 5 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

HB 1515 is a bill that would require counties and cities to prepare business impact statements for official review before a proposed ordinance can take effect. This is vital to securing a more free-market, business friendly, environment so businesses are protected from unnecessary, burdensome regulations. Additionally, this legislation requires a county or city to suspend an ordinance that is pending authorization by a court of law and issues a cap on attorney fees for prevailing parties in litigation against municipalities.

HB 1515 will now go to the House State Affairs Committee for consideration.

AIF supports legislation which holds local governments accountable for the actions they take that can have a negative impact on businesses in their jurisdiction.

SB 1258 - Relating to Use of Phosphogypsum

On Monday, March 20, SB 1258 by Senator Jay Trumbull (R-Panama City) was heard by the Senate Transportation Committee and was reported favorably with 9 yeas and 1 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

SB 1258 directs the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to experiment the use of Phosphogypsum (PG) as a road construction aggregate materiel. Phosphate is produced at a rapid rate in Florida and PG is a byproduct of the manufacturing process. For every ton of phosphate manufactured, 5 tons of PG is made. PG is used primarily for agricultural purposes, however, it can also be used for roadway paving materials. SB 1258 would allow the first step to take place in determining PG’s viability as an aggregate to be used on Florida’s roadways.

SB 1258 will now go to the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee for consideration.

AIF supports efforts to utilize manufacturing byproducts for beneficial purposes.

 

SB 712 - Relating to Motor Vehicle Sales

On Monday, March 20, SB 712 by Senator Bryan Avila (R-Miami) was heard by the Senate Transportation Committee and was reported favorably with 9 yeas and 1 nay.

SB 712 amends the Florida Automobile Dealers Act, which primarily regulates the contractual business relationship between franchised motor vehicle dealers (dealers), and manufacturers, factory branches, distributors, and importers (manufacturers) and provides for the licensure of manufacturers. One provision of particular concern legislatively sets a profit-sharing arrangement for over the air updates. AIF stood in opposition to the bill because arrangements like these should be negotiated between private entities, not the legislature.

SB 712 will now go to the Senate Commerce and tourism Committee for consideration.

AIF OPPOSES legislation that would intervene in any contractual agreement voluntarily entered into by a franchise and a manufacturer.

HB 627- Relating to Housing

On Monday, March 20th, HB 627 by Representative Demi Busatta-Cabrera (R-Coral Gables) and Vicki Lopez, (R-Miami) was heard by the House Ways and Means Committee and was reported favorable by a vote of 19 yeas and 2 nays. AIF stood in support of this legislation.

HB 627 seeks to address Florida’s backlog of affordable and attainable workforce housing in the state. HB 627 will not only maintain the high level of funding for Florida’s SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership) and SAIL (State Apartment Incentive Loan) programs, but it will provide additional funding for SAIL and work to increase attainable and affordable housing options for Floridians throughout the state. These programs provide long-term, sustainable access to affordable housing.

HB 627 will now go to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration.

AIF supports legislation which allows for continued and more reliable access to affordable housing in underdeveloped communities. These proposals create jobs and broaden the economic impact of communities with historically low economic returns.